Prior to the scheduled introduction of the euro, polls indicated most EU citizens were in favor and believe it will be successful.
However, only 20% felt well informed about upcoming changes.
Despite media skepticism, the European Commission maintained it would be introduced on schedule January 1, 1999, initially for cashless trading.
The founding euro countries were Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland.
Euro design development began in 1996.
That year, Britain's mortgage lenders prepared for euro mortgages.
In 1997, the code EUR was ascribed to the euro; Zambia expected to benefit from the currency; and Germany's Bundesbank claimed investors would benefit.
Italy was to make provisions for Vatican City and San Marino, which used Italian lire, to use euros.
France was to do the same for Monaco, St. Pierre and Miquelon, which used French francs.
Signs of the euro's acceptance included: two international banks quoting prices in the euro; China welcoming its initiation; Eurostat offering euro-related information online; Bulgaria moving to link its currency with the euro; and Thailand considering using it in foreign reserves.
However, the European Central Bank announced it wouldn't encourage it as reserve currency.
By late 1998, Romania's Central Bank included the euro in hard currency exchange rates and performed euro services.
The Reserve Bank of India permitted Indian banks to do euro transactions.
France, Finland, Belgium and Spain had begun production of euros.
Germany was preparing to do so.
Euros would become legal tender on January 1, 2002.
